I don't feel any pressure from fans. But I'm always in some kind of state of emotional turmoil. I would not describe myself as happy-go-lucky. That's not to say that I'm not happy.
Paul SimonRead
Much of songwriting is simply a mystery.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Songwriting is often an enigmatic process that cannot be fully understood.
Paul Simon suggests that songwriting involves an element of mystery, highlighting that creativity and inspiration can sometimes be elusive and difficult to define. The process of creating music often transcends logical explanation, suggesting a magical quality to artistic expression.
Themes
SongwritingMysteryCreativityArtMusic
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech at a songwriting workshop, this quote can illustrate the unpredictability of creative inspiration.
More from Paul Simon
All quotes βI sort of recognize it, as opposed to shaping it. Oh, that's a good idea, that's a good line. I wonder where I can use that. And when you get into a rhyme group like 'not,' you got a lot of rhymes, you got a lot of choices. The more you do it, the luckier you get.
Paul SimonRead
I am just a poor boy, though my story's seldom told, and I have squandered my resistance, for a pocket full of mumbles, such are promises. All lies in jest, still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest...la-la-la-la-la-la-la-lala-la-la-la-la...
Paul SimonRead
Who's gonna love you when your looks are gone?
Paul SimonRead
I don't believe what the papers are saying They're just out to capture my dime, Exaggerating this, exaggerating that.
Paul SimonRead
Improvisation is too good to leave to chance.
Paul SimonRead
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A story was a form of telepathy. By means of inking symbols onto a page, she was able to send thoughts and feelings from her mind to her reader's. It was a magical process, so commonplace that no one stopped to wonder at it.
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The truth is, it's easier for me to write than talk... to express the state I'm in at any time.
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Writing for other artists helped me figure out that magic you have to capture to make everyone connect with a song.
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Harold PinterRead